Ryanair Cabin Toiletries & Liquid Rules Explained
Updated: Sep 20
That moment when you're packing for a Ryanair flight and suddenly wonder whether your shampoo is too big, your toothpaste counts as a liquid, or your deodorant will cause problems at airport security is exactly why understanding the rules before you travel matters.
For UK travellers flying with hand luggage only, there are actually two different sets of rules to think about.
Ryanair controls the size and number of bags you can take on board. Airport security controls which liquids, toiletries and other items can pass through security.
Those rules overlap, but they are not the same — and in 2026, liquid rules can also differ between UK airports.
The good news is that most everyday toiletries are perfectly acceptable. You just need to pack them correctly.
Ryanair Toiletries: Quick Answer
Toiletries are allowed in Ryanair hand luggage.
At most UK airports, liquids must still be in containers of 100ml or less.
Some airports now allow liquid containers of up to 2 litres.
A partly empty container larger than the airport's permitted size can still be rejected.
Toothpaste, creams, gels, mascara, sprays and many other toiletries count as liquids.
At airports still using the traditional liquids process, your containers must fit into a single transparent, resealable bag of no more than one litre.
Travel-size toiletries remain a practical choice, particularly when your return or connecting airport may operate different rules.
What Are Ryanair's Cabin Toiletries Rules?
Ryanair allows toiletries in cabin baggage, but what passes through security is determined primarily by the airport you're travelling through.
For UK departures, GOV.UK says that at most airports you cannot take liquids through security in containers larger than 100ml, even when the container is only partly full.
Some airports may allow containers holding up to 2 litres and may not require liquids to be placed in a separate transparent bag.
That means there is no longer one procedure that accurately describes every UK airport.
The best approach is simple:
Check the liquid rules at your departure airport before travelling — and remember to check your return and connecting airports too.
For travellers who would rather pack once for the whole journey, 100ml-or-smaller toiletries remain the simplest option because they avoid relying on upgraded security being available at every airport you use.
What Counts as a Liquid at Airport Security?
Far more products count as liquids than many travellers expect.
UK security guidance includes:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shower gel
Toothpaste
Moisturiser and creams
Perfume and aftershave
Mascara
Lip gloss
Shaving foam
Hairspray
Spray deodorant
Hair gel
Contact lens solution
Sun cream and lotions
The rules cover liquids, gels, sprays, pastes, creams and products of similar consistency.
So something doesn't have to look like a bottle of liquid to fall within the rules.
Toothpaste is one of the most commonly misunderstood examples: it is a paste, but airport security treats it within the liquids restrictions.
Does the 100ml Rule Still Apply at UK Airports?
At most UK airports, yes.
However, new security screening equipment means some airports may allow liquids in containers holding up to 2 litres.
At some upgraded airports, passengers may also be able to leave liquids inside their cabin baggage rather than removing them into a separate transparent bag.
The important point is not to assume.
Airport arrangements are changing, and the airport you used previously may operate differently today.
Before travelling, check:
Your UK departure airport
Any airport where you'll pass through security during a connection
Your airport for the return journey
That is more reliable than assuming either the traditional 100ml process or the newer 2-litre arrangements will apply.
What About Your Return Journey?
This is one of the strongest reasons not to abandon travel-size toiletries just because your UK departure airport allows larger containers.
The security arrangements on your return journey may be different.
You might leave the UK through an airport allowing containers larger than 100ml but return through an overseas airport operating the traditional restrictions.
Connecting passengers can also encounter another security checkpoint during their journey.
GOV.UK specifically advises travellers to check the rules at other airports they'll travel through, including on the return journey.
For a straightforward round trip, packing toiletries of 100ml or less therefore remains a useful default.
Staying Connected When You Arrive
Once your cabin bag is sorted, it's also worth checking how you'll use your phone when you arrive.
UK roaming charges vary by network and destination, and a travel eSIM can provide another way to get mobile data abroad on a compatible phone.
Many compatible Dual SIM phones allow you to keep your normal UK SIM active for your number while using a separate travel eSIM for mobile data.
Whether that's worthwhile depends on your destination, phone and existing mobile contract, so compare your options before travelling rather than assuming an eSIM will always be cheaper.
How Big Is a Ryanair Cabin Bag?
Ryanair currently includes one small personal bag measuring up to 40 × 30 × 20cm with its fares. It must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Passengers with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags can additionally take a 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20cm, which goes in the overhead locker.
That makes compact packing important even when airport security itself permits larger liquid containers.
A full-size shampoo bottle may be allowed through some upgraded security checkpoints, for example, but it still occupies considerably more of a 40 × 30 × 20cm personal bag than a travel-size alternative.
For cabin-only travel, space can be just as important as the liquid limit.
Can You Take Toothpaste on Ryanair?
Yes.
Toothpaste is allowed in hand luggage, but it counts as a paste under airport security liquid rules.
At an airport operating the traditional restrictions, your toothpaste container should therefore hold no more than 100ml and should go into your liquids bag.
Remember that security looks at the capacity of the container, not how much product remains inside.
A 125ml tube with only a small amount of toothpaste left inside is still a 125ml container.
Can You Take Deodorant on Ryanair?
Yes.
Roll-on, gel and spray deodorants can be taken in cabin baggage, but products with a liquid, gel or aerosol consistency need to comply with the security rules at your airport.
GOV.UK specifically includes spray deodorants within its definition of liquids.
At airports retaining the traditional restrictions, choose a container of 100ml or less and pack it with your other liquids.
Can You Take Shampoo and Conditioner on Ryanair?
Yes.
Shampoo and conditioner are ordinary toiletries and can be taken in cabin baggage.
At most UK airports, containers should still hold no more than 100ml.
For a short city break or weekend away, a travel-size shampoo can also make more sense simply because you're unlikely to need a full bathroom-size bottle and it uses less space in your Ryanair bag.
Can You Take Sun Cream on Ryanair?
Yes.
Sun cream, sunscreen lotion and similar creams count as liquids.
At airports using the traditional rules, the container must therefore be no larger than 100ml.
If you're taking a larger quantity for a beach holiday, you may need to place it in checked baggage or confirm that the airports you'll travel through permit larger liquid containers.
Can You Take Makeup on Ryanair?
Yes, but some cosmetics count as liquids while others do not.
Products normally treated as liquids include:
Mascara
Liquid foundation
Liquid concealer
Lip gloss
Cream cosmetics
Liquid eyeliner
Powder products and genuinely solid cosmetics are generally treated differently.
If you're unsure about a particular cosmetic, think about its consistency rather than simply whether the packaging describes it as "makeup".
What About Medicines?
Essential medicines have specific exemptions from the standard UK liquid restrictions.
GOV.UK says essential liquid medicines in containers larger than 100ml can be carried in hand luggage. If a medicine is both liquid and in a container larger than 100ml, you'll need proof that it is prescribed to you, such as a prescription or doctor's letter.
Ryanair also states that passengers can carry the liquid medicine needed for their flight and should have it available for inspection at airport security.
Do not reduce or leave behind essential medication simply to make it conform to the ordinary toiletries rules.
What About Baby Milk and Baby Food?
UK security provides exemptions for passengers travelling with babies.
Baby food, baby milk and sterilised water needed for the journey can be taken through security, subject to the applicable screening arrangements.
Breast milk is also permitted under specific rules.
Ryanair similarly allows passengers travelling with an infant to bring the baby milk, sterilised water and baby food required for the flight even where this exceeds the normal liquids allowance.
These exemptions are separate from your ordinary toiletries allowance.
Best Toiletries for Ryanair Hand Luggage
For a short Ryanair trip, the objective isn't to reproduce your bathroom cabinet in miniature.
It's to take what you'll actually use.
A practical wash bag might contain:
Toothpaste
A small tube is sufficient for most short breaks and straightforward to pack.
Deodorant
Choose an appropriately sized roll-on or aerosol that will last for your trip without taking unnecessary space.
Shampoo
Travel size is usually plenty for a weekend or short holiday.
Shower Gel
Think about how much you'll realistically use rather than automatically packing the largest permitted container.
Moisturiser or Face Wash
Take whichever products are genuinely part of your daily routine.
Shaving Essentials
A disposable or fixed-cartridge razor is permitted in UK hand luggage, while shaving gel or foam needs to follow the applicable liquids rules.
Sun Cream
Particularly important for warmer destinations, but remember that creams and sprays may fall within liquid restrictions.
Makeup Essentials
Prioritise the products you use every day rather than filling limited cabin-bag space with alternatives you may never touch.
The principle is straightforward - Pack for the length and purpose of the trip, not for every possible eventuality.
Ryanair Toiletries by Trip Type
Different trips justify different packing choices.
Weekend City Break
Keep it compact. Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel and a few personal essentials will cover many two- or three-night trips.
Business Trip
Predictability matters. Keeping a dedicated travel wash bag ready can make early departures considerably easier.
Beach Holiday
Sun cream becomes much more important, along with after-sun or moisturiser. Check whether the quantities you need make checked baggage more practical.
Couples Travelling Together
Where appropriate, sharing products such as toothpaste, shampoo or shower gel can avoid unnecessary duplication.
Longer Trips
Travel-size doesn't necessarily mean taking too little. Consider whether you'll be able to buy ordinary toiletries at your destination rather than using valuable cabin-bag space carrying enough product for an entire holiday.
Common Ryanair Packing Mistakes
Packing an Oversized Container
At most UK airports, a container larger than 100ml cannot pass through security even when it is only partly full.
Forgetting That Pastes and Creams Count
Toothpaste, moisturiser and many cosmetics are easily overlooked.
Assuming Every Airport Has the New Scanners
Some do. Others retain the traditional restrictions.
Check rather than assume.
Only Checking Your Outbound Airport
Your return or connecting airport may operate different rules.
Packing More Toiletries Than You Need
A 40 × 30 × 20cm personal bag isn't large. Every unnecessary bottle competes for space with clothes, electronics and everything else you're taking.
Choosing the Wrong Cabin Bag
Ryanair's baggage dimensions are specific. Your free personal bag must fit within the airline's 40 × 30 × 20cm allowance and under the seat in front.
If you're buying luggage specifically for Ryanair, check the external dimensions rather than relying solely on descriptions such as "cabin bag" or "airline approved".
Travel Minis or Decant Your Own?
Both approaches work.
Decanting
Using reusable travel bottles lets you take products you already own and can reduce the cost of buying travel sizes.
The disadvantages are the preparation involved and the possibility of poorly sealed containers leaking.
Buying Individual Travel Minis
This gives you more choice over exactly which products and brands you take.
It can involve shopping across several ranges to find everything you need.
Using a Pre-Packed Travel Kit
A pre-packed kit prioritises convenience. The products are already selected in travel-friendly sizes, so there's less sourcing and preparation before departure.
The trade-off is that you have less control over every individual product in the pack.
There isn't one correct solution.
For occasional travellers who already have suitable bottles, decanting may be perfectly sensible. For frequent short breaks, keeping travel-size products or a dedicated wash bag ready can save time.
Ryanair Cabin Toiletries Checklist
Before leaving home:
Check your departure airport's current liquid rules.
Check your return and connection airports too.
Keep liquid containers within 100ml if you want the simplest option across different airports.
Remember toothpaste, creams, mascara, gels and sprays.
Pack a transparent resealable liquids bag if your airport requires one.
Keep essential medication accessible.
Check your Ryanair baggage allowance.
Make sure your free personal bag is no larger than 40 × 30 × 20cm.
Pack for the actual length of your trip.
Leave unnecessary full-size toiletries at home.
Ryanair Cabin Toiletries Rules FAQs
Can I Take Shampoo on a Ryanair Flight?
Yes. Shampoo is permitted, but it counts as a liquid. At most UK airports, the container must be 100ml or smaller. Some airports permit larger containers, so check your departure airport.
Does Toothpaste Count as a Liquid?
Yes. Toothpaste is a paste and falls within airport security liquid restrictions.
Can I Take Deodorant on Ryanair?
Yes. Roll-on, gel and aerosol deodorants can be carried, subject to the security rules applying at your airport.
Can I Bring Toiletries in Checked Luggage?
Most ordinary toiletries can be carried in checked baggage, although restrictions can apply to aerosols, dangerous goods and certain other products.
How Many Toiletries Can I Take in Hand Luggage?
There isn't simply a numerical limit on the number of ordinary toiletries.
At airports using the traditional security rules, your liquid containers must comply with the size restrictions and fit comfortably into the permitted one-litre transparent bag.
Is the 100ml Rule Being Scrapped at UK Airports?
The rules have already changed at some airports, but most airports still do not allow liquid containers larger than 100ml through security.
Some may allow containers up to 2 litres. Check the airport you're actually using before travelling.
If My Airport Allows 2 Litres, Do I Still Need Travel-Size Toiletries?
Not necessarily.
But 100ml-or-smaller products remain convenient for saving cabin-bag space and for journeys where your return or connecting airport still operates the traditional limits.
What Size Is Ryanair's Free Cabin Bag?
Ryanair's current free personal bag allowance is 40 × 30 × 20cm, and the bag must fit under the seat in front of you.
More Ryanair Travel Advice
Final Thoughts
Taking toiletries on a Ryanair flight isn't particularly complicated once you separate Ryanair's baggage rules from airport security rules.
Ryanair determines the bag you can bring on board. Your airport determines which liquids can pass through security.
At most UK airports, the familiar 100ml container limit still applies, while some airports now permit larger liquid containers.
For travellers who want one packing approach that works across departure, connection and return airports, travel-size toiletries remain a practical solution.
They also make sense for another reason: Ryanair's free personal bag measures only 40 × 30 × 20cm, so compact packing matters regardless of how much liquid your airport allows.
Pack the products you'll genuinely use, check the airports involved in your journey, and make sure your cabin bag meets your Ryanair allowance.
That gives you far less to think about when you reach the airport.
Information reviewed against current GOV.UK airport-security guidance and Ryanair's published baggage and liquids guidance, September 2026.
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